The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (Authority) is pleased to announce that the Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc. (RCIL), located at 131 Genesee Street in downtown Utica, has obtained the Authority’s RecycleOne Business Certification.
The RecycleOne Business Certification requires an on-site review from Authority staff to verify that specific solid waste management, recycling and energy reduction criteria have been achieved. If the criteria have been achieved, the Authority will issue the facility or business an official RecycleOne Business Certification.
This certification is free and available to businesses located in Oneida and Herkimer Counties. Accepted businesses will receive RecycleOne logos, will be featured as a RecycleOne Business on the Authority website and will be eligible to win the Authority’s annual Recycling Champion Award.
Originally founded in 1983, RCIL is the largest independent living center in New York State - employing over 3,500 people statewide. RCIL provides services to individuals with disabilities, regardless of age or income, that allow individuals to live at home and be contributing members of their community. For example, RCIL employees advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, teach essential skills for independent living, aid those seeking employment, help enroll people in social service programs and provide students and their families with educational resources.
In addition to the comprehensive – and often life changing – programs and initiatives that RCIL works to advance, the RCIL team has taken the initiative to prioritize recycling and sustainability at the workplace. Upon the recent relocation of their headquarters to 131 Genesee Street, RCIL has taken the following steps to reduce waste and energy consumption:
- Weekly recycling of paper, plastic, metal, and glass
- All employees given a reusable lunch cooler and coffee mug to cut down on single use alternatives
- Replacing old lightbulbs with energy efficient LED versions
- Installing filtered water bottle refill stations that encourage the use of re-usable bottles
- Regularly recycling electronic waste (printers, monitors, etc.) at the Authority’s Utica EcoDrop
“RCIL’s seemingly countless initiatives and programs show that they strive to serve the public on every front. Their effort to recycle and reduce waste is yet another way that RCIL takes responsibility for the health and happiness of their community. The Authority is happy to award RCIL with this certification,” says Emily Albright, Authority Director of Recycling.
Recycling in the workplace not only helps the environment, but it can be economically advantageous by allowing for lower costs for waste removal and providing possible revenue from marketing recyclables. The program also encourages social responsibility, positive public response and sustainability.
For more information, or to get YOUR business certified, please contact Emily Albright at (315) 733-1224 ext. 1600 or visit www.RecycleOneBusiness.com to download the RecycleOne Business Recycling Program Guide.